Poly (3-Hydroxybutyrate/3-Hydroxyvalerate) of Lowered Crystallinity for Use in Animal Feed

Abstract

Animal feed conversion ratio can be increased and blood glucose levels can be decreased by feeding an efficacious amount of dispersible amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of improving feed conversion in an animal, comprising the step of feeding the animal an efficacious amount of dispersible and amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         2 . A method of improving the biodegradability of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate), comprising the step of increasing the dispersiblity and reducing the crystallinity of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         3 . A method of reducing the blood glucose level in an animal or a human, comprising the step of feeding the animal or human an efficacious amount of dispersible and amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         4 . A method of increasing glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1 and GLP-2) production in an animal or a human, comprising the step of feeding the animal or human an efficacious amount of dispersible and amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         5 . A method of lowering DPP-4 levels production in an animal or a human, comprising the step of feeding the animal or human an efficacious amount of dispersible and amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         6 . A method of treating conditions such as diabetis, and intestinal diseases such as, but not limited to, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), colon cancer, short bowel syndrome (SBS), and chemotherapy-induced apopthosis in an animal or a human, comprising the step of feeding the animal or human an efficacious amount of dispersible and amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         7 . The methods of  claims 1 - 6  comprising the administration of one or multiple micro-organisms capable of producing dispersible and amorphous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate). 
     
     
         8 . The methods of  claims 1 - 6  comprising the administration of purified or intrabacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate/3-hydroxyvalerate) in combination with a PBH/PHBV depolymerase or a microorganism capable of producing such depolymerase.